Skateboard Mount

ABSTRACT

A quick install skateboard hanging device designed to lower damage to the wall, the skateboard deck, and the graphic design on the skateboard deck. The hanger is configured to allow for small adjustments in any direction to the positioning after the first installation. Hanger device includes a base, a set of pins, and a set of adhesive or hook and loop strips for attaching the base to the wall. 
     The product has optional install methods of drywall hooks, screws, and drywall anchors. With an oval hole for the screw/screw in drywall anchors in the hanger, the hanger can be adjusted in one direction without having to put another hole in the wall. This feature is especially important when hanging a board horizontal. It allows the horizontally displayed board to be adjusted to be perfectly level.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the technical field of skateboards. Moreparticularly, the present invention is in the technical field ofskateboard accessories. More particularly, the present invention is inthe technical field of skateboard hangers.

Skateboarders often hold a great reverence for their boards and like todisplay them on walls like artwork in a floating position. In thisposition the board is generally supported in the central area of theboard around a couple of inches or so off of the wall, however due tothe curvature of the board the nose or tail of the board may touch thewall. This position highlights the graphic artwork and designs (alsocalled the Graphic) imprinted on them. When attaching the board to thewall or a hanger the use of grooved metal rods or anchors with sharpedges can damage the Graphic.

Prior art designs for devices intended to hang and display skateboardsgenerally involve the use of threaded bolts and nuts that attach throughthe holes intended for mounting the wheel assembly with screw on nutsattached to alternate sides of the board. Alternative designs for thedisplay of skateboard decks involve the use of a shelving type systemwhere a skateboard deck is laid on it at an angle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The current invention is a skateboard hanger. The hanger comprisessupport pins that are configured to hang the skateboard deck in a stableposition meanwhile keeping the skateboard deck and wrapping plastic asfree from damage as possible. The surface of the support pins is smoothbut can pierce the plastic wrapping with only a small hole over themounting holes. This small hole in the plastic wrap remains over themounting holes in the skateboard deck.

A quick install skateboard hanging device designed to lower damage tothe wall, the skateboard deck, and the graphic on the skateboard deck.The hanger is configured to allow small adjustments to the positioningafter the first installation. Hanger device includes a base, a set ofpins, and a set of adhesive or hook and loop strips for attaching thebase to the wall. The product has optional install methods of drywallhooks, screws, and drywall anchors. With the oval hole in the hanger,the hanger can be adjusted in one direction without having to putanother hole in the wall. This feature is especially important whenhanging a board horizontal. It allows the board to be adjusted to beperfectly level.

Pins are bound together with a base containing a minimum of supportingmaterials, with sets of slots that will support the pins holding theskateboard deck. Each set of slots is positioned to line up with themounting holes of the skateboard deck of interest. The base is attachedto the wall with either an adhesive or some sort of drywall anchor. Thebase is also configured to be quickly placed and leveled with featuressuch as the position indicators and bubble levels. The preferred use ofthe position indicators is to use them to line up and align multiplehangers. Or more preferred, position indicators may be used to assist inthe alignment with marks placed on the wall which can be beneficial wheninstalling multiple hangers to align a series of skateboards.

This invention is used for hanging a typical skateboard deck on a wallwith the graphic showing and minimal hardware. This invention can beused with most skateboard shapes including the “popsicle”, “old school”and “long board”. This hanger is designed to be able to hang most typesand sizes of skateboard decks. Most skateboard decks weigh 7 lbs or lessand are not shaped in a way that prevents them from being mounted viathis skateboard deck hanger. Some configurations of the hanger and pinscomposition allow for heavier skateboard decks and skateboards with thewheel assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the one piece skateboard hanger.

FIG. 2 is a head on view of a modular base without pins.

FIG. 3 is a head on view of an insert that fits into the base of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a pin type a.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a pin type b.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a pin type c.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a pin type d.

FIG. 8 is a drawing of the common types of skateboards.

FIG. 9 is a drawing of a modular hanger with a drywall hook.

FIG. 10 is a drawing of a drywall hook designed to work with theskateboard hanger.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The skateboard hanger in FIG. 1 is one piece with a set of memberscalled pins. The pins have a smooth surface and are sealed into the base20 in a fusion joint. The bottom portion of the pins 13, 15 is comprisedof 3 triangular shaped flanges extending from the center rod with thelarge end of the triangle making a T-shaped footprint on the surface ofthe base 20. Rectangular cavities 14, 18 are placed between the 2 pinsand may be used to place bubble levels to aid in the placement of thehanger.

A skateboard deck can be placed on the skateboard hanger with the pinsinserted into the mounting holes and can rest against the edge of thebottom portion 13, 15 of the pin. This edge is near the center of thepin. Rising from the center of the pin is a top portion 10, 12. The topportion is thin and has a rod like shape with a diameter that issmallest near the center and gets larger toward the tip of the topportion of the pin near 16, 17. The top portion is the part that isinserted into the mounting holes of the skateboard deck. Near the tip ofthe top portion of the pin is a small decrease in the diameter of therod 16, 17. This small groove goes all the way around the pin and isconfigured to stabilize the position of an O-ring.

The hanger can be constructed from plastic, metal, carbon fiber or avariety of other materials. When the hanger is constructed from plastic,a clear polycarbonate is preferred. The strength requirement of the pinmaterials is for the weakest point of the pin to withstand the sheeringforce of a typical skateboard deck without a breakage. Coatings can beused to either strengthen or smooth the surface of the pin.

Referring now to the invention shown in FIG. 2 the base of the hangerresembles a rounded plus shape. This is a modular embodiment of thehanger wherein; the components can be inserted into the required slots.The base of the hanger has a raised edge 39 that runs all the way aroundthe base of the hanger, with a set of triangular arrows that mark themiddle top 31, middle bottom 37, middle right 30, and middle left 38points of the plus. In the center of the base are 2 cavities whichresembles a sideways T formation 33, 32 wherein each insert cavity maycontain a bubble level. These cavities are raised from the surface ofthe base of the hanger. There is also an oval hole beneath each bubblelevel holder which can be used when the bubble level holder is poppedout. This oval hole can be used with screws or screw like drywallanchors to affix the skateboard hanger to the wall. The T formation 33,32 is aligned perpendicular to the axis 31, 37 of the hanger base. Thepins are attached to the base with a modular joint to a set of slotsthat resembles an upside down T 34, or a right side up T 36 with a smallbulge in the middle. The top and bottom alignment indicators 31, 37assists in positioning and leveling the hanger in one direction. Rightand left alignment indicators 30, 38 assists in the positioning andleveling of the hanger in the other direction. If two or more hangersare used the alignment indicators assist in the alignment of thehangers.

Further referring to the invention shown in FIG. 2 the raised edge 39gradually rises from the outside edge to a point inside the base of theskateboard hanger. Inside the raised edge is an area where the thicknessof the base of the hanger is reduced. This area of reduced thickness issuitable for a graphic insert.

Further referring to the invention shown in FIG. 2, the base of theskateboard hanger has a flat back suitable for 1 or more hook and loopstyle adhesive strips to be applied vertically in a side by sidefashion. Due to the rectangular wheel assembly mounting pattern ontypical skateboard decks, the skateboard hanger is rotated depending onif a person would like to hang a skateboard deck vertical or horizontal.The adhesive strips are designed to be used in a vertical orientation onthe wall (long ways in the direction of the floor and ceiling). With the“plus” shape, the adhesive strips will be placed in a verticalorientation which changes to accommodate the preference of a vertical orhorizontal display of the skateboard deck. Note that one hanger isneeded to hang a skateboard deck vertically and two skateboard hangersare needed to hang a skateboard deck horizontally.

Further referring to the invention shown in FIG. 2, if the base isplaced against the wall as shown, a bubble level in the bubble levelholder 33 will be used to indicate if the axis between 38 and 30 islevel and whether or not the tops of the pins are aligned up and down.When the invention is positioned as shown in FIG. 2, a set of 2 hangerscan be arranged horizontally from each other allowing the skateboarddeck to be positioned horizontally. In this position the pins of eachskateboard hanger pass through a set of mounting holes on either side ofthe skateboard deck. The pins will protrude through the mounting holesto just beyond the surface of the skateboard deck. This arrangementallows for the use of the position indicators to indicate where the userwants the skateboard deck placed and if the two hangers, are lined up.If the hanger is turned 90 degrees counterclockwise the other a bubblelevel in bubble level holder 32 can be used to indicate whether an axisalong the triangular indicators 31-37 is level. This is the position tohang a skateboard deck vertically. Only one hanger is needed to hang askateboard deck from this position.

The form of and shape of the raised edge and alignment indicators doesnot preclude other shapes that fulfill a similar purpose and function.For example, the width of the outside edge may be significantly largerthan a point, and the alignment indicator may be comprised of ink. Alsonot precluded from this invention are shapes other than the shownrounded plus shape that the raised edge follows. Other acceptable shapesfor the raised edge to follow include round, square, and oval, and othershapes with symmetry that does not preclude the proper alignment of thehanger elements.

Referring now to the invention shown in FIG. 3 a graphic insert 40 canbe placed in a modular base or in a one piece hanger base. The holes inthe insert 41 match up with the features in the base or as seen here,the features of FIG. 2. There may also be trademarks and logos that canbe seen through the other hole 42 in the insert. The area in the centerof the hanger base can be recessed to make room for a graphic insert 40.The graphic insert can be solid color or decorated with a graphicdesign.

Further referring now to the invention shown in FIG. 3 the graphicinsert 40 fits within the confines of the raised ridge that runs all theway around the base. The raised ridge is around one-half centimeter inwidth; however, it can be made smaller or larger depending on theaesthetic(s) desired. In the one piece embodiment the insert can be laidin a similar position. This insert will have cutouts for the pins andthe bubble levels 41. The size, position, and dimensions of the graphicinsert are based on the features of the hanger which are wished to beaccentuated or concealed.

Referring now to the invention shown in FIG. 4 a pin of type a is shown.The pin is configured to fit in a modular base. The bottom portion 51has 3 flanges 54, 55, 56 that form a T-shaped junction similar in shapeto the negative space formed by the slots 34, 36 seen in FIG. 2. TheT-shaped junction will fit into the T-shaped slots of the base formingthe modular joint. Examples of the T-shaped slots are seen in FIG. 2 34,36. The bottom portion of the pin has a minimum width at point 50 andgradually gets bigger till it hits point 53 at which point the width isat a maximum. The flanges 54, 55, and 56 are structural in naturehelping to support the weight of the skateboard deck. Center flange 56points away from the other pin when locked into the modular base, with aflexible tab that helps lock the pin into the T-shaped slot. A smallledge opposite flange 56 on the end of the bottom of the center rod ofthe pin will work together with the tab on flange 56 helping to lock thepin into the T-shaped slot of the modular base.

Further referring to FIG. 4, the top portion of the pin 57, the diameterwill gradually get larger from point 50 toward the opposite end of thepin until it hits point 52. At this point there is a small groove thatgoes all the way around the pin configured to stabilize the position ofan O-ring. The O-ring acts as the locking extension in pin a. The topportion of pin type a 57 is the same as seen FIG. 1, but the junctionwith the base is changed. The resting position of the skateboard deckwill generally be either at the minimum radius point 50 or against theO-ring on point 52.

Referring now to the invention shown in FIG. 5 a pin of type b. Pin typeb is shown with a locking extension on the top portion of the pin. Thislocking extension 60 rises slowly from the tip of the pin on a singleside forming a ledge near the middle of the top portion of the pin. Thelocking extension can pass all the way through the mounting holes. Whenthe pin has been inserted into the mounting holes the skateboard deckrests on the pin and the ledge of the locking extension 60 blocks theskateboard from falling off the pin.

Referring now to the invention shown in FIG. 6 a pin of type c. Pin typec is shown with a locking extension on the top portion of the pin. Thislocking extension 72 rises slowly from the tip of the pin on two sides.There is a small gap 73 between the large end of the locking extensionand the pin. The locking extension with a gap underneath it is designedwith a flexible material in its construction. When squeezed the lockingextension 72 can flex to occupy part of the small gap 73. When the pinhas been inserted into the mounting holes the locking extension wedgesin the mounting holes and the pressure prevents the deck from slidingoff the pin.

Referring now to the invention shown in FIG. 7 a pin of type d. Pin typed is shown with a locking extension shown on the tip of the pin. Thislocking extension has the shape of a lightly sloped conical frustum withthe tip of the pin 80 being the small end of the conical frustum and thelarge end 81 being a small distance from the tip. The pin can easilypass through the mounting holes. When the pin has been inserted into themounting holes the skateboard deck rests on the pin and the ledge 81 ofthe conical frustum. This extension blocks the deck from sliding off thehanger. The O-ring is not necessary for the proper functioning of thislocking extension.

FIG. 8 shows the position of the mounting holes 93 in the various typesof skateboards. 90 is a popsicle skateboard deck, 91 is an old schoolskateboard deck, and 92 is a longboard skateboard deck.

Referring now to the invention shown in FIG. 9 a modular hanger with thepins 102 inserted into T-shaped slots 100. The hanger base of FIG. 9 issimilar to the hanger base in FIG. 2 in shape. It contains the alignmentarrows 103 on the raised edge 106 of the hanger base, and the 2 holdersfor bubble levels 104. On the bottom of the hanger are the tabs for 2adhesive strips 105 that line up on the back of the hanger. These stripshave the capacity to support a typical skateboard deck. For furtherstability a modified drywall hanging hook 101 can be inserted throughthe hanger and the drywall. The drywall hook is curved such that it canbe threaded through one of the holes 108 positioned at either the top orsides of the hanger shown here. In the present configuration the hookwould be positioned as shown. If the hanger is turned on its side, thena new hole 108 would be used. However, in this new position the drywallhook would still be put in the hole on the top, but the pins would be inthe top/bottom positions instead of the side to side position. Thedrywall hook will be a piece of wire that sticks out of hole 108 andmakes contact on the raised ridge. Without the adhesive strips thedrywall hook can still be used with the functionality that is expectedfrom a drywall hook. The graphic insert of FIG. 2 should be useable forthis hanger as shown here. The graphic insert 107 can be modified foruse when features like the bubble levels have been removed.

Referring now to the invention shown in FIG. 10 the drywall hook isshown in full here. The drawing shows the curvature needed to hold astabilizing position with or without a stabilizing adhesive materialapplied to the back of the hanger. The drywall hook 110 is curved suchthat when pushed into the intended hole on the hanger as shown in FIG. 9(101) the point 111 will embed itself into the back of the drywallstabilizing the hook and the hanger.

The use of a drywall hook, a screw, or a screw type drywall anchor, forattaching a base to the wall, should allow for a wall attachment ofheavier skateboards decks and a skateboard with wheel assembly attached.In an alternative attachment of the base to the wall, the oval holeunderneath one of the bubble level holders (e.g. FIG. 9 104) would beused with a screw or screw in drywall anchor. The oval hole allows forsmall adjustments in one direction of the base to be made after aninitial installation. When this attachment method is used in combinationwith metal pins and or pins wherein the locking extension comprises;threading and a nut, enables the use with a fully assembled skateboard.When using a threaded locking extension, the nut would go on the side ofthe skateboard deck facing away from the wall.

The advantages of the present invention include, without limitationallowing a person to hang a skateboard deck easily using no additionaltools, while not damaging the wall. Further, the hanger may includefeatures that simplify the installation process and allow foradjustments to be made to the hanging position in any direction afterthe skateboard deck was initially hung, without damaging the wall orneeding additional tools. The support pins have been designed so thatthey are ideal for hanging skateboard decks that are still in thewrapping plastic.

The hanger further has the advantage that it can keep the skateboarddeck securely placed on the hanger while still allowing a person tointentionally remove and reinstall the skateboard deck easily andquickly, without the need for tools or having to hand loosen/tightenscrew-on type locking hardware. Alignment arrows have been added to theoutside edge of the base in case the hanger was to be aligned with anexact position marked on the wall at the time of the initial hang orduring any adjustments. The bubble levels also assist in the placementof the hanger in either the vertical or horizontal directions. With theperpendicular placement, the bubble levels can be effectively used tohang a skateboard deck vertically or horizontally.

The hanger further has the advantage in that it does not significantlydistract from or cover the skateboard deck graphic. In the preferredembodiment, the hanger will be manufactured as a ridged clear plasticdevice and the O-rings or any soft locking extensions would bemanufactured in a soft clear plastic (e.g. silicone) to achieve thepreferred minimal intrusive appearance. The O-ring's outer diameter wasalso sized accordingly, based on the typical diameter of a mounting holefor a skateboard, to provide the preferred minimal appearance and tostill function as intended. Note that other hanger colors may ultimatelybe manufactured.

In broad embodiment, the present invention is a hanger for a skateboardthat uses members with an end portion that engages the mounting holes ofa skateboard. The end portion is the part of the member that can beinserted into the mounting holes of the skateboard deck. The members aremostly smooth but with an end that can make a small hole in the wrappingplastic upon insertion. Each end portion also contains one or morefeatures that prevent the skateboard deck from sliding off the member.For example, an O-ring and or a plastic ledge may be placed on a smoothmember to prevent displacement of the skateboard deck from the hanger.This locking extension on the end of the member prevents the skateboarddeck from moving.

In broad embodiment, the present invention comprises a base for a hangerfor a skateboard with the features, 2 or more alignment indicators, andat least two slots or holes for the members to hold the skateboard, aflat back configured to attach to a wall with the attachment meanscomprising: removable or permanent adhesive strips; an adhesive hook andloop combination; and liquid adhesive, drywall hook, screws, and screwtype drywall anchors. The slots are designed to hold two members in aposition perpendicular to the wall. The base can also be configured as asingle unit with the slots being position holders for the members, witheach member being fused into the base. The base is comprised of plastic,clear plastic, metal, a coated metal, or wood.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand andappreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents ofthe specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The inventionshould therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment,method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within thescope and spirit of the invention.

1-21. (canceled)
 22. A hanging device for a skateboard, comprising: aset of pin members each with a top portion that engages a set ofmounting holes of a skateboard deck, wherein: two pin members of the setof members engages with the set of mounting holes; a base with a flatback, wherein: an outside edge of the hanger is also an outside edge ofthe flat back, and one or more of an adhesive strips runs from one sideof the flat back to an opposite side of the flat back putting a tabs forsaid adhesive strips outside the outside edge of the hanger, wherein theadhesive strip may be one or more of an adhesive strip, or one or moreof a hook and loop strip with adhesive backings; wherein the bottomportion of each pin member has a T-shaped connection with the base witheach side of the T forming a triangular support, each triangular supportis connected with the base; wherein an attachment of the bottom portionof each pin member comprises: a T-shaped fusion with the base whereinthe pin members are not removable from the base, or a locking attachmentwith the base wherein the pin members are separate from but lock intothe base.
 23. The hanging device of claim 22, wherein the top portion ofthe set of pin members has a diameter small enough for the top portionto pass into the mounting holes of a skateboard, and one or more lockingfeatures that are characterized by: a locking portion with a point ofminimum radius located in the center of each pin member wherein the pinmember increases in diameter until a position proximate the end of thepin, at said position is a groove with a shape complimentary to aninside of an O-ring; a locking portion with a ledge on a side of the topportion wherein the ledge is positioned to press against the skateboarddeck once the skateboard deck is placed onto the hanger without areciprocal ledge on an opposite side of the locking portion in a samerelative position; a conical frustum with the tip of the pin memberbeing a small end of the conical frustum and the opposite side formingthe other end of a locking extension with a ledge; or a lockingextension that rises from the tip of the top portion on at least oneside with a gap underneath an opposite end of the locking extension,wherein the locking extension with the gap is comprised of a flexiblematerial.
 24. The hanging device of claim 23, wherein the top portionhas a slight bend under the load of the skateboard deck such that theskateboard deck rests persistently on the locking extension of the pinmembers.
 25. A hanging device for a skateboard of claim 22, furthercomprising: cavities to place bubble levels; oval holes for screws anddrywall anchors.
 26. A hanging device for a skateboard of claim 22,further comprising: a graphic insert that fits over top of the basewherein the holes in the insert match up with one or more features inthe base.
 27. A base for a skateboard hanging device of claim 26,wherein the graphic insert locks into one or more features of the hangerbase and has a finish that is a solid color or has a graphic design. 28.A hanging device for a skateboard of claim 22, wherein the compositionof the base is selected from one or more of the following materials;clear plastic, coated plastic, metal, coated metal, wood, or paint. 29.A device for hanging a skateboard deck with a pin member comprising: abottom portion of the pin member comprising an attachment to a base witha thickness that increases toward the base; a top portion of the memberis a solid plastic rod that extends in a single portion to a tip of thepin with one or more locking features slidably disposed to protrudewithin a set of mounting holes of a skateboard deck reversibly lockingthe skateboard deck into place, wherein the locking feature is a ledgeon the top side of the top portion, and wherein the ledge is pointedaway from a tip forming a surface that when engaged with the skateboarddeck is contiguous with the edge of the mounting hole the ledge wherebyholding the skateboard to the pin with gravity, further each pin has asingle tip which is flat or slightly rounded from an edge of the tip tothe edge of tip on the opposite side of the tip of the pin irrespectiveof the direction taken across the tip of the pin, wherein the device isconfigured to allow the single tip to slidably attach to one mountinghole; a joint is formed at the attachment of each pin member to thebase, the joint is either a fusion joint wherein the pin members arepart of the base, or a locking joint wherein the base, and the pinmembers are separable, but lock into the base.
 30. The device of claim29, wherein, the joint and the bottom portion of the pin member has aconnection with a base in the shape characterized by: a T, a square, across, an oval, or a circle.
 31. The device of claim 29, wherein the pinmember is made from one or more materials comprising: clear plastic;opaque plastic; carbon fiber; metal; or metal coated with a plastic. 32.The hanging device for a skateboard of claim 29, wherein the conicalfrustrum is threaded.